And now for something completely different - SWINE FLU

18 June 2009

IN LIGHT of growing evidence that the H1N1 Influenza virus is not as severe as originally thought, the Federal Department of Heath and Ageing has developed a new response phase – protect.

The protect phase recognises that the effects of the virus are mild in most cases, severe in only some cases and moderate overall.

The focus of the protect phase is to treat and care for those who experience a severe case of the disease.

Head of the Department’s Influenza Pandemic team ... says it’s a matter of common sense.

“Our advice to staff who experience mild flu-like symptoms, is to stay at home and rest until they’ve recovered.”

“This should see them recovered within a few days,” he says.

The key elements of the protect phase are:

• early detection and treatment of people who may be vulnerable to severe outcomes
  
• identification and early treatment of those experiencing moderate or severe symptoms, especially in people with respiratory difficulty
  
• normal operations will resume at international airports
  
• schools will not be closed if students are found to have influenza H1N1, but unwell children are urged to stay home
  
• voluntary home isolation is recommended for those who have mild illness, but contacts will no longer be quarantined.